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Chapter 128 – The Eagles Take Flight
Historically, accounts of an air battle over Sakhalin Island remain surrounded in ambiguity. Some sources claim—with apparent evidence—that a fierce aerial engagement broke out between U.S. and Soviet forces. According to these claims, the Americans deployed F-15s, while the Soviets scrambled MiG-23s and Su-15s. Both sides reportedly lost several aircraft. More speculative narratives even assert that advanced aircraft such as the MiG-29 or MiG-31 were involved.
Ultimately, perspectives vary widely. Some researchers argue these accounts were exaggerated or entirely fabricated, citing a 1995 publication titled I-7 by an author from Japan as the origin of many of these claims. Whether fiction or fact, what truly happened remains elusive.
Yet, with Andrei's intervention in this altered timeline, history has diverged. It is now 1977, and the Sakhalin air disaster has already occurred—years ahead of the original timeline.
In response, the United States adopted a firm stance.
"The Soviet Union has committed an atrocity, firing missiles at a defenseless civilian airliner. This is a direct violation of international law and basic human decency. The Soviet Union must acknowledge its actions, issue a formal apology to the families of the victims, and pay full compensation."
Behind these statements, grieving family members recounted emotional stories—mothers, fathers, and children lost in the skies. The downed Korean Air flight had carried ordinary passengers as well as diplomatic personnel. Among the dead was U.S. Congressman Edward John, elevating the tragedy to a direct affront to the U.S. government.
This became a matter of national honor. The American public, already shaken, erupted in anger. Large-scale protests swept across the country. There were calls for accountability and justice. The U.S. military began mobilizing swiftly and decisively.
At Misawa Air Base in Japan, one of the U.S. Air Force's most strategically important facilities in the Pacific, the mood was tense. The 14th Air Force, 35th Fighter Wing, had been placed on high alert. Personnel scrambled across the tarmac, preparing for possible engagement.
The Soviets had downed a civilian airliner, killing over 200 people—an act that could not be ignored. On the flight line, an impressive lineup of fighters awaited clearance. These were not outdated F-4 Phantoms, but sleek, modern air superiority jets. Their silver fuselages gleamed in the rising sun. Their bubble canopies offered excellent all-around visibility. Rectangular air intakes hinted at an aerodynamic design focused on minimizing drag. Twin vertical stabilizers stood proud above powerful, tightly mounted engines.
They were F-15 Eagles—the U.S. Air Force's newest and most capable fighters.
The development of the F-15 had been driven by a group of maverick officers and engineers often referred to as the "Fighter Mafia." In the 1960s, led by Major General Arthur C. Agan and featuring figures such as John Boyd, Charles Myers, and Colonel Riccioni, this group fought against the Pentagon's prevailing doctrine. They argued that the Air Force needed not a multirole bomber but a pure air superiority fighter—one that could dominate any dogfight and secure control of the skies.
Their vision produced the F-15 Eagle.
Designed for air combat and air combat only, the F-15 featured a lightweight airframe, a powerful radar, superior agility, and advanced weapons systems. It was a direct answer to the threat posed by the Soviet MiG-25—a threat that had haunted American planners since its first public appearance.
From design proposal in 1962 to first flight in 1972 and operational deployment by 1974, the F-15's development had been remarkably swift. Proven to be one of the most successful fighter designs of the 20th century, it would serve for decades to come, in multiple air forces around the world.
The 14th Air Force Squadron had originally been equipped with F-4 Phantoms. However, as tensions in the Pacific escalated, and with the MiG-25 posing a growing challenge, the decision was made to outfit them with F-15s and forward-deploy them to Misawa.
Now, it was their time to act.
Flames roared from the twin Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engines. The F-15's empty weight was a mere 12.7 tons—lighter than the F-4—and with a maximum afterburner thrust of 110 kN per engine, the aircraft boasted a thrust-to-weight ratio well over 1. Even fully loaded, it could accelerate vertically. Its climb rate exceeded 300 meters per second—reaching 360 meters per second under optimal conditions—far surpassing second-generation fighters.
The F-15 was born for air dominance.
Inside the cockpit, Captain Nathaniel Christopher, commander of the 14th Flight Squadron, adjusted his oxygen mask and focused his gaze down the shimmering runway. The horizon trembled from engine heat as the aircraft gathered speed. He eased back on the stick.
The nose lifted. The fighter left the ground, rising into the dawn.
This was the beginning. The world was watching.